Posted: 11/10/2009 6:24:52 AM EDT
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I am looking for info about using SSB CB radios. I want to be able to talk up to 100 miles at the most. Some in my group are not going to take the time to get a ham ticket and I still need to contact them during SHTF. Can a SSB CB do what I want? I know that the FCC says don't push past 155 miles, but can you hit a station at 100 when you want to or is just hit or miss depending upon weath, atmosphere....
I am working on my ticket now but am thinking about others. Any info would help Mickey |
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No, NVIS works at much lower radio frequencies than what CB operates at. Your chances of getting 100 miles reliable communications range with CB are zero.
NVIS works roughly between 2 and 8 MHz depending on time of day and other variables, CB is 27MHz. Amateur radio, GMRS, or LMR/Business radio wide-area coverage repeater/s are the alternative to NVIS. |
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Quoted:
No, NVIS works at much lower radio frequencies than what CB operates at. Your chances of getting 100 miles reliable communications range with CB are zero. +1 NVIS works at a much lower Freq. 40 meters is the highest you can bounce off the Ionosphere using the ground as a reflector. SSB CB is better then AM CB, but it's still in the "ground wave" only catagory.. (unless the skip is realy rolling).. |
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In before the CB Haters...
We are talking from Tampa to Orlando, Tampa to Ocala, and Tampa to Sarasota, every day on SSB, base to base with IMAX 2000 antennas and/or beams on both ends. That's 60-70 miles minimum. With a set of beams, on both ends, 100 miles should be do-able. We talk all over the TampaBay area, mobile to mobile and to base stations every day also. SSB is my group's main mode, and for the same reasons...not all of them are interested in HAM. I have talked Orlando back to Tampa while in my mobile to some of the better base stations, no problem. When conditions are right, you can get some good DX. CB is still alive, and getting bigger. Whether you like it or not, people still use it every day. |
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Same here, I used to talk to a group of people using CB SSB upper 39 coming home from work at night. I was working on my Technician ham ticket back then and eventually all of us migrated to the local 2 meter repeaters. I converted one of the radios to ten meters, used it for a while, then started another conversion on it, and eventually threw it in the trash. I sold the other one to a fellow worker. Should have kept both of then in original condition for SHTF/PAW comms, but I was unwashed in those days.
RS |